Machine for treating hides, skins, and leather



March 5, 1929. A. F. JONES MACHINE FOR TREATING HIDES, SKINS, AND LEATHER Filed July 20, 1925 3 Sheets-Sheet l March 5, 1929. A. F. JONES 1,704,196

MACHINE FOR TREATING HIDES, SKINS, AND LEATHER Filed July 20, 1925 s She ts-Sheet 2 lwvmfcn March 5, 1929.

A. F. JONES v MACHINE FOR TREATING HIDES, SKINS, AND LEATHER Filed July 20, 1925 3 Sheets-Sheet Patented Mar.- 5, 1929.

UNITED STATES ALBElRiT F JoNEs, OF SALEM, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR PATENT OFFICE.

TO THE TURNER TANNING MACHINE FOR TREATING HIDES, SKINS, AND LEATHER.

Application filed July 2b, 1925. Serial No. 44,759.

This invention relates to machines for operating upon hides, skins and leather and is illustrated as embodied in machines for performing finishing operations upon leather, such 7 as putting-out operations on light leathers. i v

Leather manufacturing machines now used commercially in unhairing, fieshing, setting and putting-out operations comprise as characteristic features one or more bladed cylinders with the blades helically arranged on the cylinders and extending in opposite direotions from points intermediate between the ends of each cylinder. In machines for performing putting-out operations there is provided in addition to the cylindersa number .of bed plates having stationary slicker blades inclined with respect to the direction of movement of the work past the blades. Since the cylinder extends across the full width of the machine there can be little or no accommodation of its blades to variations in the thickness of a given piece of work. The best that can be done in arranging a machine for operations upon a given class of work is to adjust the cylinder, or the work supporting parts which co-operate with the cylinder, in accordance with the judgment of the operator with respect to the average of the thickness dimensions of the pieces in a selected class of work. The result is that the thicker portions of the Work are apt to receive too severe a working out by the blades while the thinner portions escape with insuflicient treatment. Since the stationary blades on the bed plates are also of very considerable length there is often the same failure to operate properly and effectively upon certain portions of the work as is the case with the blades of the cylinder. Thus, for example, in putting-out operations on skins and other pieces of leather, it is customary to begin operations at or near the backbone line of the hide or skin and, by relative movement of the .tool and of the work, putout the moisture in directions away from the backbone line toward the flanks and in all directions from the flanks of the hide or skin to I the edges thereof. In passing from the backbone line to the edges of the hide or skin there is encountered very considerable variation in the thickness dimension along lines which intersect the backbone line, thus accounting in part at least for the fact that the cylinders and bladed beds of commercial putting-out machines have failed to accomplish the results attained by hand operators.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide improved means for treating hides, skins and leather which will accommodate variations in the thickness dimensions of localized areas inevery portion of the Work in such a manner as to insure uniform treatment of different areas in the performance of the above mentioned and other operations.

To this end, and in accordance with important features of the invention, there is provided improved work-treating means comprising a series of treating tools individually self-adjusting in directions to accommodate themselves to variations in the thickness of a hide or skin along lines intersecting the back bone line of the hide or is backed by a work support. In the illustrated construction, the treating tools comprise a series of blades resembling in size and shape hand-operated tools commonly used in putting-out operations, each tool being so mounted as to accommodate variations in the skin, While the latter stretched condition on the surface of a work support.

To provide for commencing the treatment of hides or skins at or near the backbone line and treating successive portions of the hide or skin progressively outward on both sides of the backbone line in accordance with the preferred practice above referred to, as a further feature of the invention means is provided for moving the toolsinto contact with the work at or adjacent to the backbone line andv for causing the tools -to operate progressively toward the edges of the work. In the illustrative machine, the tools are blades arranged to move on convergent paths toward median portions of the Work, and to prevent during this movement of the blades such contact of the blades with the work as would tend to cause bunching or other displacement thereof in a direction toward the center or median line of the work, means is provided for holding the blades out of the plane of the Work until each has reached a predetermined point in its path of movement, the said means being also operative to move each blade into contact with the work preferably when, in the 111115- trative construction, its operative edge has reached a horizontal plane in its downward movement.

In accordance with a further feature of the invention each tool in its treatment of the work moves along such a path as constantly to increase the inclination of the operative edge of the tool with respect to the line which indicates the direction of relative movement of the work, the result being that the mo1sture which collects along the operative edge of the tool tends constantly to be transferred laterally into the wet or untreated portions of the work at one side of the path of the blade, thus reducing the amount of moisture that must be carried along in front of the operative edge of the tool and preventing escape of moisture laterally into an area previously treated by the same or another tool.

The invention contemplates also such an arrangement of the blades and such relativemovement of the blades and work support as to cause the paths of the blades to overlap on the work thus ensuring that all parts of the work will be properly operated upon and that no lines of demarcation will appear between the paths of adjacent blades.

While the illustrative embodiment of the invention is especially effective in putting-out operations, it is to be understood, that, through the substitution of other forms of tools for the slicker blades shown in the/drawings, other operations, such as unhairing, fleshing, scudding, setting. and the applying of seasoning or other finishing preparations, may be carried out with marked effectiveness. Also, in various aspects, the invention is not limited to embodiment in hide or skin treating machines but may be utilized to advantage in performing other operations presenting problems similar to those above discussed.

Other features of the invention and-novel combinations of parts will be described in the detailed specification and pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings,

Fig. 1 is a view in end elevation of a machine illustrating one embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view along the line 2, 2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a detail of the mounting for a slicker blade and also of its operating means;

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3 showing the parts in a different portion of the cycle of operations;

Fig. 5 is a detail view showing a slicker blade in contact with the work;

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 5 showing the slicker blade approaching the work in a plane at one side of the plane of the work; and

Fig. 7 is a sectional view on the line 7, 7 of Fig. '3, showing the means for n'iounting a slicker blade on its supporting member.

In the illustrative machine means is pro vided for supporting the work and for carry ing it past the operating tools. As shown, this means comprises a plurality of tables ll), each pivoted adjacent to its upper edge to a pair of chains 12, the chains being spaced apart so that the tables hang pivotally suspended between the chains. For supporting and driving each chain there is provided a sprocket wheel 14 secured to a shaft 16 journaled in bearings at the upper ends of the frame members 18, each chain passing also over two other sprocket wheels 20, 22 secured to shaft 24, 26 (Fig. 2) respectively journaled in bearings adjacent to the foot portion of the frames 18, the sprocket wheels being so disposed that the tables carried by the chains pass along a triangular path. Conveniently the upper shaft 16 is employed as the driving shaft for the chains and for this purpose it is provided with a gear wheel 28 in mesh with a pinion 30 on the counter shaft 32 which carries a sprocket wheel 34 about which passes a chain 36 also engaged with 'a sprocket wheel 38 on the power shaft 4-0 which has hearings in the frame members 18 and is provided with fast and loose pulleys 42, 414.. As shown, each table 10 has a rounded upper edge over which the piece of work is folded with portions of the work in contact with the opposite smooth surfaces of the table. These surfaces of the table back the work against the thrust of the tools. The surfaces of each table may be covered with sheet metal or rubher or leather to provide a firm, smooth ;urface, the particular construction of the table forming no part of the present invention. For a more detailed description of the series of tables and table opera-ting means reference should be had to Letters Patent No. 722,888 granted March 17, 1903, upon application of F. J. Perkins.

For operating on the work while the latter is being moved through the operating field by the work supporting table, there is provided a plurality of tools in the form of slicker blades each carried by its own supporting member 52 secured to the end of a relatively short shaft 54 mounted in extension bearings 56 (Fig. 3) provided by a. rotatable carrier 58 which supports and provides part of the operating means for a set of slicker blades. As shown, eight slicker blades are mounted upon each carrier 58, there being four of these carllu ' riers upon which the slicker blades are mounted and operated by means which is identical in construction for all of the blades. Itwill be understood, of course, that the number and kind of tools and of carriers for the tools may be varied as occasion may require without departing from the principles involved in a'pplieants invention.

Suitable means is provided for moving each slicker blade into contact with the work at a predetermined point in the circular path of movement of the blade and during its move ment of approach with respect to the work, during which movement it is carried idly in a plane at one side of the plane of the work so that there is no contact with the work until the predetermined point already mentioned is reached, as will be explained in more detail later in this specification. The means for moving each slicker blade into contact with the work comprises in the construction shown a shaft 54, already mentioned as the support for the slicker blade, and spring means illustrated as a spring 60 (Figs. 3 to .6, inclusive) secured at one end to a collar 62 attached to the shaft and having itsother end resting against a portion of the carrier 58 so as to tend constantly to move the slicker blade toward the plane of the work. Secured to the shaft 54 is an arm 64 having pivotally attached theretoa link 66 the other end of which is pivotally connected to a bell crank lever 68 pivoted at 70 on the carrier 58, the bell crank lever 68 being provided with a roll 72 for contact with face cam 74 of a stationary cam member 76. Upon reference to Figs. 1,- 3 and 4 of the drawings, it will be observed that the stationary cam 76 is provided with a high portion 7 8 for contact with each of the rollers 72 of the slicker blade operating means by which the shaft 54 is caused to rotate to lift the blade away from the plane of the work. In Fig. 3, for instance, movement of the roller 72 upon the high part 7 8 of the cam 76 would result in lifting the slicker blade 50 in this figure upwardly from the plane of the paper. See in thisconnection Fig. 6 of the drawings. On the other hand, when the rolls reach the other end of the high part 78 of the cam 76 they drop down to the low part 80 of the cam' whereupon the blade 50 moves into contact with the work, this movement of theblade taking place, as most clearly shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings, when the edge of the slicker blade 50 has reached a horizontal plane. By this means for operating the blades there is insured only a downward and outward movement of the blade whileit is in contact with the work. Since the two carriers at the front of the machine are turning in opposite directions the slicker blades 50 follow each other in close succes- 2' sion over the surface of the work along divergent paths after they have once contacted with the work, whereby the work is not only time at the upper portion of v put-out but stretched in directions suitable to increase, to a desired extent, the area of the skin or other piece of leather being operated upon. It will be observed, moreover, that movements of the slicker blades are always in directions away from the backbone line of the skin or hide and into the flank portions thereof, thus following the custom of hand operators in putting-out the skin by movements of the slicker blade away from the center portions of the skin and into the flank portions thereof. Since the blades at any given the two carriers 58, illustrated in Fig. 1, are approaching each other on convergent paths, they would be likely to catch upon the edges of the work and tend to bunch the work toward the median line of the table if they were allowed to contact with the work during movement along these convergent paths. It is for this reason that means is provided, as already described, for keeping the slicker blades out of the plane of the work until a predetermined point in thecircular path of the blades is reached. After this predetermined point is reached continued movement of the blades carries them along divergent paths from points well within the borders of the work so that the work is spread effectively upon its support.

In accordance with the illustrative con-' struction the work is folded over an edge of a table 10 along the backbone line of the hide or skin which constitutes the work, and a plurality of sets of slicker blades are provided to operate upon the work on each side of the table. It will be understood, however, that the invention in many of its important aspects is not limited to operation upon work thus folded over two sides of a support. By

the method and arrangement disclosed there is avoided any necessity of securing a skin or hide to the table 10 since the slicker bladesor other .tools on each side of the plane of the table contact with the work at the same instant and, moving in a downward direction, tend to press the work securely against the table, avoiding any displacement thereof. To obviate useless repetition the work is some times referred to in the specification and claims as a skin especially in connection with putting-out operations by means of slicker blades, but it will be understood that the in vention is not so limited in its application since in many of its important features the invention is applicable to the treatment of hides and leather generally.

While any suitable means may be pro vided for causing the rotation of the carriers 58 there is shown a preferred arrangement by which both the tables 10 and the slicker blades 50 are moved in such timed relation that all parts of the skin or hide are successively operated upon in side-byside overlapping areas beginning at the upper, outer corners of the skin or hide, as

most clearly indicated in Fig. 1 of the drawings with respect to the slicker blades shown operating upon the second table from the bottom of the figure. As the table moves upwardly into the position of the table third from the bottom in the said figure, the blades operate successively upon overlapping areas of portions adjacent to the median line of the table, certain of the blades being shown in this figure, passing down the median line of the table and nearly completing the operation on the work. 1Vhile other blades'on the two carriers at the front of the table are shown approaching each otheralong convergent paths they will not all operate upon the middle portion of the skin or hide on this third table, since they do not come into contact with the work until they each reach a horizontal plane as before pointedout.

The means for rotating the carriers 58 comprises, in the construction shown, a shaft 90 mounted in hearings in the side frames 18 and extending in directions from front to rear of the machine and having two carriers 58 mounted upon each shaft 90. Secured to each shaft 90 adjacent to the front end thereof is a sprocket wheel 92, a chain 9% being provided to engage with sprocket wheels 92 on the shafts 90 and also with a sprocket wheel 96 on a counter shaft 98 which carries a beveled gear 100 which is constantly in mesh with a beveled gear 102 on the power shaft which furnishes the power for driving the carrying belt 12 for the tables 10, as 'already described. As

- shown, the chain 94 passes over an idler sprocket- 104 (Fig. 1 of the drawings) mounted upon a stub shaft 106 mounted in bearings in the frame of the machine.

As has already been stated, movement of the tables 10, upwardly during the down ward movement of the slicker blades results in the ln'esentation of successive portions of each skin or hide to the action of the blades and proper timing of the move ment of the tables with respect to the blades insures that the paths of the blades will be overlapping to the proper extent, thus insuring that no untreated portions of the skin will be left between the paths of the blades.

It will be noticed furthermore, that as the blades 50 move downwardly and outwardly away from the median line of the table each blade becomes more and more inclined away from the horizontal position at which it started its operation on the work and that the inclination of the blade is such that moisture running along the blade will run into the still wet or untreated portions of the skin or hide. This will be clearly understood if it be remembered that the blades operate first upon the upper, outer corners of the skin or hide, as shown with respect to the second table from the bottom in Fig. 1 of the drawings and that in this figure one of the blades in contact with the work on this table is so slanted or inclined that the mois ture would run from the part being operated upon into the part of the skin or hide which is Wet and sti l to be operated upon. This feature of the construction adds considerably to the efliciency of the illustrated pulling-out machine.

Since the tables 10 are pivotally carried by the chains 12 and are adapted to have the skins thrown over them in succession while the are at a position shown to the extreme rig t of Fig. 2 of the drawings, it is desirable that any swinging movement of the table should. be prevented while the table is entering into the spacebetween the front and rear sets of slicker blades. This means comprises, in the construction shown, a pair of rollers 110, one adapted to contact with the table 10 on the front and onthe rear side thereof, as most clearly shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings. Conveniently the rollers 110 are carried by bars 112 carried by bracket arms 114 extending from a cross bar 116 carried by the machine frame.

While the springs associated with each slicker-blade-carrying-shaft 54 serve, in cooperation with the cam 76, the purpose already described of moving the slicker blade at the proper time into contact with the work, these springs serve also another im-' portant purpose in that they press the blade firmly but yieldingly in contact with the work so that there may be the desired amount of accommodation of the slicker blades to the work and particularly to variations in the thickness dimensions thereof, thus making it unnecessary to adjust. the slicker blades for different classes of work which do not vary greatly in thickness. It will be understood, however, that the blade support 52 is secured to the shaft 54 fixedly but adjustably through one or more set screws indicated at 120, so that if a run of work of un-- usual thickness or thinness be brought to the machine the slicker blades may be adjusted to take care of the operation properly. F urthermore, a certain amount of adjustment may benecessary as the blades 50 wear away in serv1ce.

Means is preferably provided for permitting accommodation of each blade 50 to local variations in the thickness dimensions ofa given piece of work, for example, to variations in thickness of a hide or skin along lines intersecting the backbone line of the hide or skin which is normally thicker near the backbone than in the flanks or shanks, by arranging for tipping movement of the blade 50 about an axis extending transversely of the working edge of the blade. Referring particularly to Figs. 5, 6 and 7 of the drawings, it will be observed that the blade 50 is pivotally secured along a transverse median line by a pivot 130 (Fig. 7) mounted rotat ably in a boss 132 extending from the upper surface of the blade 50, each end of the pivot 130 being engaged by the lower end of a bolt 134 which is screw threaded and adapted to be secured by lock nuts 136 in adjusted relation to the blade support 52. At eachside of its median line the blade 50. is provided with a stud 138 to seat a spring 140, the upper end of which embraces a projection 142 at the relation to each other and upon a carrier having special characteristics, it is to be understood that the lnvention is not so limited in its application but that the tools may.

be differently mounted and operated while retaining all the advantages of the disclosed construction by which complete adjustment to the requirements of the work is secured.

In operating with this machine the workman will stand at the front of the machine,

that is,'at the right, in Fig. 2 of the drawings, and will remove a skin or hide from a table 10 as the latter descends within reach of the operator and place upon the table thus emptied a fresh piece of work to be operated upon. As each table passes upwardly between the sets of slicker blades it is operated upon to put-out the moisture and to spread and stretch the'work on both sides of each table, the arrangement being such that the tables are returned in succession to the operator who removes the finished work and replaces itwith fresh pieces of work as already described.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In a machine of the character described, a support for backing a hide or skin, a series of blades for operating on a hide orskin backed by the support, and means for photally mounting each blade for self-adjusting movement in directions toward and from the support for the hide or skin and also about an axis extending transversely of the length dimension of the blade to accommodate variations in the thickness of the hide or skin along lines intersecting the backbone line of the hide or skin.

2. In a machine of the character described, a support having a surface for backing a hide or skin, a series of blades defining and movable in a plane parallel to the supporting surface of the support for operating on the hide or skin, and means for mounting each blade yieldingly for movement about an axis parallel to the backing surface of the Work support and extending transversely of the longitudinal axis of the blade to accommodate variations. in the thickness of the hide or skin.

3. In a machine of the character described, a support for backing a hide or skin, a series of slicker blades for putting-out the hide or skin backed by the support, and means for mounting each tool so that it is individually yieldable in a direct-ion normal to thework on the support and also for tipping movements about anaxis extending transversely of the length dimension of the blade to accommodate variations in the thickness of the hide or skin along lines intersecting the backbone line of the hide or skin.

4:. In a machine of the character described, a support for backing a hide or skin, a series of slicker blades for putting-out the hide or skin backed by the support, a carrier for the blades, a pivotal mounting for each blade on the carrier to permit movement of the blade in a direction normal to the surface of the work, and a second pivotal mounting for the blade to permit tipping movement about an' axis extending transversely of theworking edge of the blade.

5. In a machine of the character described, a table for supporting a piece of work, a plurality of tools for operating on the work, a member for carrying the tools, means for moving the tools along over the surface of the work, yielding means associated with each tool for pressing it into contact with the work, and means independent of the firstmentioned means for controlling the time of operationof the said means.

6. In a machine of the character described, a table for supporting a piece of work, a plurality of slicker blades for operating on the work, a member for carrying the slicker blades, means for moving the slicker blades along over the surface of the work, spring means associated with each slicker blade for pressing itinto contactwith the work, and.

ingly against the work, and a stationary cam for controlling said spring means.

8. In a machine of the character described, a series of tools for treating 2. hide or skin, means for moving the tools one after another in a given direction over the work, a support for the hide or skin undergoing treatment, and means for effecting simultaneous movement of both the support and the tools to cause the tools progressively to treat difi'erent successively overlapping areas of the hide or skin.

9. Ina machine of the character described, a support for a hide or skin, a series of blades for operating on the hide or skin, means for moving the tools in concentric paths over the work, and means for effecting movement of the support and of the blades along angularly related lines for causing the blades to produce progressively in side-by-side relationship trcated areas on the'hidcor skin.

10. In a machine of the character described, a support for backing a hide or skin,

mounting the carriers and for rotating themso that the paths of the blades of one set overlap alternately. with the paths of the blades of the other set in operating upon the work.

12. In a machine of the character described, a work support for backing a hide or skin, a plurality of tools for operating on a piece of Work backed by the support, means for moving the tools in an endless path, and means for operating the tools over a piece of work successively in side-by-side overlapping paths to operate upon all portions of the work. v

13. In a machine of the character described, a work support, a plurality of tools arranged to pass over the same path in space, and means for operating the tools and the work support in such timed relation as to cause the paths of the tools to overlap in sideby-side relationship on the work support.

14. In a machine of the character described, a support fora piece of work, a plurality of tools, a pair of rotary members one on each side of the work support for supporting the tools in sets, and means for rotating said members and for moving the work support in a direction opposite to that of the operative movement of the tools, the paths of the tools in one set being laterally displaced with respect to and overlapping those of the other set for a substantial distance along the median line of the work support.

15. In a machine of the character described, a support for a piece of work, a plurality of tools arranged in sets for operating on the work, means for-moving each set of tools in an endless path at one side of the surface of the support, means for moving the work support along a path angularly related to the path of the tools, the paths of the tools of one set being laterally displaced with respect to and overlapping those of the other set for a substantial distance along the median, line of the work support.

16. In a machine of the character described, a'work support for backing a hide or skin, a plurality of tools for operating on work backed by the support, and means for operating the tools in sets insuch manner that the paths of certain of the tools alternately overap the paths of tools of the other set andthe paths made by the tools of one set diverge I from those of the other set. I

17. In a machine for operating upon hides or skins, leather and similar pieces of Work, a work support for backing a hide or skin, a plurality of blades for operating on a piece of Work backed by the support, and means for operating the blades in sets, the blades of one set operating on the hide or skin in a path which does not coincide with but overlaps that of the other set for a substantial distance along the median line of the work support.

18. In a machine of the character described, a support for backing a hide or skin, a plurality of blades mounted for bodily movement in sets for operating upon the hide or progressively and in succession portions of the hide or skin extending from the backbone line to the edges thereof while backed by the support, and means for moving certain of the members in paths which diverge from the paths of operation of others of the members, thereby spreading the skin and stretching it in directions toward its edges.

20. In a machine of the character described, a series of individual members, certain of the members being constructed and arranged to operate along different paths and upon successive portions of a hide or skin, a support for the hide or skin movable to carry the latter in a straight ,line through the field of operations of said series of members, and means for moving the members in sets along divergent paths, thereby spreading the skin and stretching it toward its edges.

21. In a machine of the character described, a series of slicker blades arranged in sets for performing putting-out operations upon a hide or skin, and a member adapted to support the hide or skin with the backbone line thereof parallel to one edge of the supportof the blades,

ing member and movable to present successivelyportions of the hide or skin extending from the backbone line to the edges thereof within the fields of operations the support and the blades being so mounted and so operated that the blades of one set move along paths which diverge'with respect to paths of the blades of the other set while operating upon shank portions of the hide or skin.

22. In a machine of the character described, a series of slicker blades'mounted to move in two sets along endless paths, each slicker blade being mounted and operated to move bodily along over a hide or skin to put-out a strip thereof extending from the backbone line to an edge portion thereof, a support for a hide or skin movable to carry the latter past the blades for operation of the blades upon successive portions thereof, the blades of one set being operated to move away from the blades of the other set, whereby the hide or skin is stretched in directions toward opposite edges thereof.

23. In a machine of the character described, a support for a. piece of work, a plu rality of tools for operating on the work on the support, means for moving the tools in an 'endless path, and means for moving the Work support simultaneously with the tools in a direct-ion angularly related to the path of the tools over the work support, the two means being so timed that the tools operate successively upon diflerent areas which overlap in part only.

24. In a machine of the character described, a work support, a. plurality of tools for operating on pieces of work carried by the work support, means for operating a plurality of. the tools simultaneously in a. single plane and bodily movable carriers for the tools operating in conjunction with the tool operating means for causing the tools to operate in divergent paths while in contact with the work.

25. In a' machine of the character described, 21. work support movable along a vertical path, a plurality of slicker blades movable downwardly and outwardly away from the median line of the work support, and means for causing operation of the blades over a piece of work on the support successively in overlapping paths to operate upon all portions of the work.

26. In a machine of the character described,

- a support for a piece of work, a plurality of tools arranged in sets for operating on the work on the support, means for moving a plurality of tools in each set simultaneously along the surface of the work, and means for moving the work support in a direction angularly related to the path of the tools over the work support.

27. In a machine of the character described, a table over which a skin is adaptedto be a work support, a plurality of in directions. away from said edge and backbone line to put-out the skin, and means for operating the slicker tools to cause them to move along divergent paths whereby the tools put-out and also stretch the skin during movement away from the backbone line of the skin toward the flank portions thereof.

28. In a machine of the character described, of sets of tools, a member for supporting each set of tools, and means for moving the tools in sets along convergent paths toward the Work on the support so that each successive tool of oneset overlaps, the path ofthe preceding tool of the other set just as each tool comes into engagement with the work. i

29. In a machine of the character described, a table for supporting a skin with the backbone line thereof parallel to one edge of the table, a plurality of slicker tools for puttingout the skin on each side of the backbone line, and means for operating the slicker tools si- -multaneously to cause them. to operate in a single plane in contact with the surface of the skin and along diverging paths from the backboneline of the skin toward the flank portions thereof.

30. In a machine of the character described, a support for a skin with the backbone line t iereof arranged parallel to one edge of the table, a plurality of slicker blades for operating on the skin on each side of the backbone line thereof, and means for causing the blades and the table to move in timed relation to each other so that the blades on opposite sides of the backbone line move along divergent overlapping paths whereby the skin is put-out by the slicker blades moving away from the backbone line toward the flanks of the skin.

31. In a machine of thecharacter described, a plurality of sets of blades for operating on a hide or skin, a support for the hide or skin undergoing operation, a plurality of disks mounted in a plane parallel to a surface of the support and serving as carriers for the blades, and means for moving the support and the carriers and operating the sets of blades to effect treatment of the hide or skin along paths which diverge from a median portion of the hide or skin and extend to the side edges thereof.

32. In a machine of the character described, a plurality of sets of blades for operating progresslvely upon successive portions of a hide or skin, a disk carrier for each set of blades operative to move the blades of one set toward those of the other set during the skin while it is being operated upon by the blades, whereby certain of the blades operate along paths angularly related to the paths produced by others of the blades as they travel over the surface of the hide or skin in directions toward the edges thereof.

83. In a machine of the character described, a series of slicker blades movable for performing putting-out operations upon :1 hide or skin,a support for moving the hide or skin while it is being operated upon bythe blades, means for moving the slicker blades and the support to cause successive side-by-side areas of the skin to be operated upon, the blades, during their operating stroke, being inclined with respect to the direction of movement of the hide or skin in such manner that the moisture or other material removed by one blade from one area of the hide or skin tends always to move from the treated portion laterally toward the untreated portion and into the path of another blade.

84. In a machine of the character described, a work support, slicker blades for operating upon the work along different overlapping paths, and means for moving, the work support and operating the slicker blades in succession to cause the blades to put out the moisture progressively from all portions of the work in such a manner as to transfer moisture in a direction transverse of the direction of movement of the blades from the portion being dried to the remaining wet portion and from the path of one slicker blade laterally into the different path of another slicker blade.

In a machine of the character described, a work support for backing a hide or skin, a plurality of tools for performing hitting-out operations on a piece of work backed by the support, said tools being movable in a substantially vertical plane, and means for operating the tools so that the perative edge of each tool while it is passing over the work inclines at an ever increasing angle to the vertical whereby the moisture of the putting-out operation is transferred in directions transverse to the vertical pro-' gressively into the wet or untreated portion of the work. Y

36. In a machine of the character described, a member for supporting and backing a hide or skin with the backbone line thereof parallel to one. edge of the supporting member, a series of bladcstor operating on a hide or skin backed by the support, each blade being individually yieldable by a pivotal movement in its own plane to accommodate variations in the thickness dimension of the hide or skin along lines intersecting the backbone line of the hide-or skin, and means for moving the blades in overlapping paths to treat progressively successive portions of the hide or skin, said blades being relatively arranged to exert a progressive spreading action in directions away from the backbone line of the hide or skin and outwardly toward its edges, thereby forcing moisture progressively toward untreated portions of the hide or skin.

37. In a machine of the character described, a member for supporting and backing :1 hide or skin, a slicker blade for puttingout operations on the hide or skin backed by the support, and means for pivotally mounting the slicker blade so that it may tip about a. plurality of axes of which one is an axis ex tending transversely of the longitudinal axis of the blade, to'adjust itself automatically to variations in the thickness of the hide or skin along lines intersecting the backbone line of the hide or skin.

38. In a machine of the character described, a work support, a blade adapted to move in contact with a piece of work on the support, a supporting member for the blade, and a pivotal connection between the blade and its supporting member, the blade being selt' adjusting about anaxis transverse of its working edge to permit the blade toac commodate itsel'f'to variations in the thickness of the work.

39. In a machine of the character described, a work support, a blade adapted to move in contact with a piece of Work on the support, a supporting member for the blade, a pivotal connection between the blade and its supporting member, and means for holding the blade with its operative edge normally in a plane parallel to the surface of the work support, the blade being self adjusting about an axis transverse of its Working edge to permit the blade to accommodate itself to variations in the thickness of the work.

40. In a machine of the character described, a work support, a tool adapted to move in contact with a piece of work on the support, a supporting member for the tool, a pivotal connection between the tool and its supporting member, and a spring at each side of the pivotal connection and operative to hold the tool with itsedge normally in a plane parallel to the surface of the work support, said springs being adapted to yield to permit the edge of the tool to turn about an axis transverse thereof to accommodate variations in the thickness of the work.

41. In a machine of the character described, a work support for backing a hide or skin, a slicker blade for operating on a piece of work backed by the support, and means for pivotally mounting the slicker blade to yield in a direction normal to the surface of the work on the work support and also about an axis extending transversely of the longitudinal axis of the blade.

42. In a machine of the character described, a work support, a tool adapted to move in contact with a pieceof work on the support, a supporting member for the tool, a pivotal connection between the tool audits supporting member, spring means for holding the tool with its operative edge in a planeparallel *against the work.

43. In a machine of the character described, a table for supporting and backing a piece of work, a slickerblade for operating on a piece of work backed by the table, means for moving the slicker blade along the surface of the work, spring means for pressing the slicker blade yieldingly into contact with the work, a mounting for the blade, and other spring means arranged to co-operate with said mounting for permitting the slicker blade to tilt in a plane transverse of the path of the blade whereby the blade is self-accommodating to localized variations in the thickness of the work.

44. In a machine of the character described, a work support for backing a 'hide or skin, and a plurality of sets of blades for operating on a piece of work backed by the support, the blades of one set being movable toward those of the other set along converging paths before engaging the Work, and movable along divergent paths while operating on the work.

45. In a machine of the character described, a plurality of tools, two rotatable members spaced from each other in a vertical plane and having the tools mounted upon them for movement in convergent paths and subsequently in divergent paths, a table for supporting a piece of work, means for moving the table in a vertical plane, said members carrying the tools normally in a plane at one side of the plane of the work on the table, and means for moving the tools in a direction normal to the surface of the work operatively to engage the latter when the operative edge of the tool has reached a horizontal plane.

46. In a machineof the character described, a table for supporting the skin, a plurality of tools for operating on the skin, means for carrying the tools in a plane at one" side of the plane of the skin during their idle movement, and means for moving the tools into firm contact with the skin each at a predetermined point so that the tools may effect a working operation on the skin. 47. In a machine of the character described, a table for supporting a piece of work, a tool, a rotary disk member for carrying the tool toward and away from the table, means for holding the tool away from the plane of the work on the table while the tool is approaching the table, and means for moving the tool into contact with the work at a predetermined point in the path of the tool.

48. In a machine of the character described, a table for-supporting a piece of work, a tool for operating on the work, means for moving the tool toward the table in a plane at one side 9f the surface of the work on the table, and means for moving the tool laterally from said plane and into contact with the work at a ppedetermined point in the movement of the too 49. In a machine of the character described, a work support for holding a piece of work folded substantially along a median line, and a plurality of blades, each movable in one direction over the work and all movable bodily in planes parallel with a work supporting surface of the work support, for operating on opposite sides of the work support simultaneously whereby the piece of work is maintained in proper position during the operation of the blades. 1

50. In a machine of the character described, a work support, a plurality of tools for operating on a piece of work on the support, a support for the tools bodily movable to carry the tools along in contact with the work, and means for moving the tools relatively to the tool support in directions toward and from the work into and out of operative position with respect to the work.

51. In a machine of the character described, a work support for backing a hide or skin, a plurality of tools for operating on the work backed by the support, a carrier for the tools movable to pass the tools over the work, and means stationary with respect to the carrier for moving the tools into and out of operative relation to the work.

52. In a machine of the character described, a plurality of rotary members, a plurality of tools movably mounted in sets upon said members, a series of tables for supporting pieces of work, means for moving the tables one at a time past the tools, and means for causing the tools to move relatively to the rotary members to engage a piece of work on each table to operate on all portions therea of as the table passes by.

53. In a machine of the character described, a table for supporting a piece of work, a tool for operating on the work, means for moving the tool toward the table in a plane at one side of the surface of the work on the table to engage with the work at a point within the borders thereof, and means for moving the tool laterally from said plane and into contact with the work at a predetermined point in the movement of the tool.

54. In a machine of the character deon 9. hide or skin on the work sup ort, the arrangement bein such that the hi e or skin may be supporte so that the backbonerline of the hide or skin is between the fields of Operations of the sets of tools, andmeans for operating the sets of. tools in contact with the hide or skin in directions away from the backbone line thereof in such manner that area of the each tool operates upon a strip) kbo ac ne line hide, or skin extending from the to anedge portion thereof; Y

56. In a machine of the, character d6? scribed, a work support, a plurality of tools for operating on a hide-or skin on the-work pass the tools, in a plane at one side of the work until they are within the borders-of the hide or skin, andmeans for movin the tools from each other inoperatthe character dea wlth the backbone line thereof paral e1 to an 1 edge of the table so that the tools may move in sets along paths away from the backbone line of the hide or skin, and means for mounting thetools to accommodate variationsin the thickness of the hide or skin along the said paths. 7 1 t In testimony whereof I have signed'my 7 name to this specification. support, carriers for the tools movable to r ALBERT" F. JONES. at 

